登入CHAPTER 25 Amara’s POV The drive home was quieter than usual. I sat beside Jude, looking out the window. His words kept running through my mind. Someone wanted your family’s land before I ever entered your life. I didn’t know what to think about it. After a few minutes, I turned toward him. “Jude.” “Yes?” “Do you really think Westbrook is dangerous?” He kept his eyes on the road. “I don’t know yet.” “Then why are you so worried?” “Because they have already tried to buy the property once.” “And now they’re back.” “Yes.” I looked down. “My mother never told me about the first offer.” “Maybe she didn’t want you to worry.” “She always does that.” He glanced at me. “Does what?” “Tries to protect me by keeping things from me.” A small smile appeared on my face. “She thinks I’m still a child.” “You’re not.” I looked at him. “That sounded almost like a compliment.” “It wasn’t.” I laughed. For a moment, the tension disappeared.
CHAPTER 24 Jude’s POV The next morning, I was already in my office before eight. I hadn’t slept well. Too many questions were running through my head. Westbrook Holdings. The restaurant property. Laura Bennett. And the missing security footage. I needed answers. My office door opened. Ethan walked in with a folder. “You found her?” He nodded. “Laura Bennett.” He placed the folder on my desk. I opened it. A photograph was attached to the first page. Laura Bennett. Late thirties. Professional. She had worked in property development for several years. I continued reading. “She’s the person who approached Celeste three months ago?” “Yes.” “Does she work directly for Westbrook?” “She works as a property consultant.” “For them?” “Not exactly.” I looked up. “What does that mean?” “She works with several companies. Westbrook is one of her biggest clients.” I turned the page. There were records of several properties she had he
CHAPTER 23 Amara’s POV The drive to Catherine’s house was quiet. Jude kept his eyes on the road. I kept thinking about what he had told me. Westbrook Holdings had tried to buy the restaurant property three months ago. Three months. I had never heard of them. Neither had I known anyone had already tried to buy the land. I turned toward Jude. “Did you find out who made the offer?” “Yes.” I waited. “A woman.” “Who?” “Laura Bennett.” The name sounded unfamiliar. “Do you know her?” “No.” “Then how do you know she is connected to Westbrook?” “Ethan found the records.” I looked down at my hands. Something about this bothered me. “Why would they want our property so badly?” “That is what I’m trying to find out.” I looked out the window. My mother had been hiding something. Now there was a company that had already tried to buy our land once. And they were back. I didn’t know what to think. The car finally stopped outside Catherine’s
CHAPTER 22 Jude’s POV The name Westbrook Holdings stayed in my mind long after Amara’s message. I sat behind my desk and searched through the company records. Nothing. Westbrook Holdings had no current business relationship with Monroe Enterprises. No contracts. No partnerships. No board connections. Nothing that explained why they were suddenly interested in a small restaurant property. I leaned back. “That doesn’t make sense.” I picked up my phone. “Ethan.” He answered immediately. “Yes?” “Look into Westbrook Holdings.” There was a pause. “Why?” “They approached Amara’s family about their restaurant property.” “I thought you said the property issue was separate.” “So did I.” “And now?” “Now I want to know who they are.” “I’m on it.” I ended the call. A few minutes later, another message appeared on my screen. It was from the security department. Sir, we’ve identified the account used to access the security system. I opened
CHAPTER 21 Amara’s POV By the time I reached the restaurant, my mother was standing outside. She looked worried. I quickly got out of the car and walked toward her. “Mum.” She turned. “You came.” “Of course I did.” I looked around. “Where is the man?” “He’s inside.” “What did he want?” “I don’t know.” She lowered her voice. “He keeps asking about the property.” My stomach tightened. “Did he say who sent him?” “No.” “Did he show you any documents?” “He has a folder.” I glanced through the restaurant window. A man was sitting at one of the tables. He wore a dark suit and had a folder beside him. I frowned. “Is that him?” “Yes.” I looked at my mother. “Why didn’t you ask him to leave?” “I did.” “And?” “He said he would wait for you.” I didn’t like that. I took a breath. “Okay. Let’s go inside.” Mum caught my arm. “Amara, be careful.” “I will.”
CHAPTER 20 Jude’s POV The first thing I saw when I entered my office the next morning was the report on my desk. I picked it up. The security team had investigated the employee whose account was used to access the company document. His name was Daniel Reed. I knew him. He had worked at Monroe Enterprises for almost five years, and there had never been a serious problem with him. I opened the report. Daniel had entered the building yesterday morning. But according to the security records, he had left before the document was accessed. I frowned. Someone had used his account after he was gone. I picked up my phone. “Send Daniel to my office.” “Right away, sir.” I put the report down. A few minutes later, Daniel walked in. He looked nervous. “You wanted to see me?” “Yes.” I pointed to the chair. “Sit.” He sat down. I pushed the report toward him. “Did you access this file yesterday evening?” He looked at the document. “No.” “Your a







